Resources

3D Printing Resources

If you’re looking for a good place to get started learning about 3D printing, you can use the resources on this page.

This 3D printing resource will be updated and added to on a regular basis in order to keep it relevant. If you have any suggestions for resources that should be added, please contact me and let me know.

Disclosure: it should be noted that I may make a small commission on some of the items listed below should you purchase them through my affiliate link. These commissions help me keep the site running and allow me to add more features to the site.

3D Printing Books to Get You Started

The following is a list of books that will help you get started in understanding what 3D printing is, how the technology works, as well as some of the future implications the technology will likely have. These are good starting points for anyone who isn’t familiar with 3D printing and wants to learn more about the technology.

In this book, Wired magazine editor and bestselling author Chris Anderson gives you a sort of visionary, if not in-depth, look into the 3D printing industry. The book dives into the “maker” movement and explains how it stacks up against previous industrial revolutions. Overall this is probably one of the best books on 3D printing, especially for anyone who wants to get a look at the full potential of the industry.

This book provides a general overview of 3D printing as well as a number of markets that individuals can get into through the use a 3D printer. Ultimately, this is a decent book that will cover the basics of 3D printing, how to get started in it, and it will open your mind to the possibilities of 3D printing from a manufacturing and business point-of-view. A good read for any prospective printers.

This well-written and informative overview of 3D printing is another good option for anyone looking to go over the basics of–and dive a little bit further into– 3D printing. The book covers what is being done in 3D printing today as well as provides a look at what the technology will be capable of in the future. If you’re new to 3D printing then this book will catch you up quickly.

Another solid introduction into the world of 3D printing. Like the other books on this list, 3D Printing: The Next Industrial Revolution will give you a look at what 3D printing is and what it has the potential to become. It also covers who the players in the industry are and goes into a little bit of their backgrounds. Another great read for 3D printing beginners and veterans alike.

Helpful 3D Printing Websites

3D printing is making waves across the internet. The recent rise in popularity for 3D printing has lead to the establishment of many online sites dedicated to 3D printing. What follows is a list (albeit a short one in the grand scheme of things) of helpful 3D printing sites.

3D Print HQ: Not sure what all of those 3D printing terms and abbreviations mean? Check out 3D Print HQs 3D printing glossary!

Thingiverse: Thingiverse is perhaps the most important 3D printing site on the internet. On Thingiverse you can find thousands of 3D printable things, including trinkets, jewelry, gears, models, figures, etc. Ultimately, if you want to find something cool to print on your new 3D printer, then Thingiverse is the place to go.

Sculpteo: Sculpteo and Shapeways are similar in that they provide a platform where anyone can get their ideas professionally printer. So, if you want a prototype of something, or just a cool trinket, Sculpteo will print it for you. For professional designers and printers, Sculpteo offers a platform to sell your designs.

Shapeways: As mentioned above, Shapeways offers the same thing as Sculpteo: a platform to get your ideas printed, or to sell your designs to people who want them printed. Both platforms provide consumers with the ability to access professionally-printed 3D objects.

Make Magazine: Maker Media is the spearhead of the maker movement, which also happens to include home-based 3D printing. They offer a ton of resources, guides, and tutorials to help you get started in 3D printing.

MecSoft — 3D Printing Explained: MecSoft is a CAD/CAM software solutions company and so their involvement in 3D printing is understandable. As such, they’ve put together a thorough guide that explains what 3D printing is and how it works.

Helpful 3D Printing Forums

Just like any other popular industry/topic out there, there are quite a few 3D printing forums available on the internet. In the future, 3D Searcher will open up a forum and hopefully it will help to strengthen the community, but if you’re looking for a thriving forum right now, the ones listed below are amazing resources for first-time printers and veterans alike.

3D Print Board: 3D Print Board is one of the more popular 3D printing forums on the internet. The site has over 5,000 members and is approaching 6,000 threads.

SoliForum: SoliForum is another thriving 3D printing forum. With over 7,500 members and approximately 7,250 topics posted, you can expect to get some help from SoliForum’s members.

Google’s 3D Printing Community: The 3D printing community on Google+ is enormous. With over 110,000 members, it is easily the largest congregation of 3D printing enthusiasts on the web.

3D Printing Subreddit: The 3D printing Subreddit is also a popular destination for 3D printing enthusiasts, boasting over 25,000 subscribed readers.

YouTube Channels

If you’re more of a visual learner then there are plenty of 3D printing related YouTube channels to help you get acquainted with the technology. The following are some of the more popular 3D printing YouTube channels available.

Hopefully you’ve found this list of resources helpful! If you have any additions you’d like to add, or you’d like to see a new category added, or you have a 3D printing website/company that you’d like to see included, please email me at contact@3dsearcher.com.